ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday conveyed its displeasure and disappointment to France and Germany over the reported remarks by their leaders, wherein they condemned Islamabad for being unable to eliminate Al Qaeda and Taliban safe havens.
At the end of his recent visit to India, French President Nicolas Sarkozi said, “It is unacceptable that Al Qaeda and Taliban find safe havens in Pakistan.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a joint press conference in Berlin with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Pakistan was trying to solve political issues in the guise of terrorism.
“The Foreign Office on Monday conveyed the government’s and the people of Pakistan’s disappointment separately to the ambassador of France and the German Charge d’ Affaires in Islamabad,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.
“It was underlined that Pakistan enjoyed excellent relations with both France and Germany and that bilateral cooperation in all areas had lately been on the rise,” he said.
“Pakistan was, therefore, surprised and disappointed at the reported remarks made by the two leaders. Both France and Germany were well aware of the great sacrifices being rendered by Pakistan in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Therefore, incriminating Pakistan in the context of terrorism was unjustified and uncalled for,” Basit said.
“Responding to the demarche, the German CdA said the chancellor’s remarks had been misquoted. Chancellor Merkel had outlined general principles of Germany’s counter-terrorism policy. He assured that her remarks were not Pakistan-specific,” Basit added.
